Oh Seamus Dear

[Kellie Black]

Deciding to follow her boyfriend's lead, Kellie brings her salad bowl closer and begins to slowly work at that again while Seamus went for his steak. It was nice like this; just the two of them, enjoying one another's company. She hardly asked for anything more since this was all it took to make her happy. She smiles at the compliment, opting for a silly reply by giving him a thumbs up right back.

It still left her a bit edgy to know he was either ignoring or hadn't heard her question. Kellie knew the daft man heard it. She was loud enough sometimes for the both of them. So when he finally mentions it again, she has the wine goblet pressed to her lips, in the middle of a long, hearty sip. She asked if I wanted to marry you. That certainly did the trick. Kellie coughs, setting her wine forcefully on the table.

She knew she wanted to talk about it at some point but not in the middle of dinner when she was gulping back wine like a little fish. She sits and waits. And waits. And waits.... and nothing. The man was going to run her to an early grave if he kept up with this suspense nonsense for much longer. Did she mention that there were some days where all she wanted was to throttle that pretty boyfriend of hers? Because she did, and now was slowly becoming one of them. Kellie's eyes narrow and the flush that adorned her cheeks earlier was now long gone. Instead, she leaned forward, closer to the table to get a better look at him. "Seamus." The name comes out like a warning, sharp and direct.

Well if he wasn't going to be straight forward with her, then she was definitely going to be straight forward with him, no doubts about that. "What did you tell her?"

Honestly, he was like a madman; conversation going from one end to the other. It's still nice to hear about his father who still seems to have that love for life, even at his age. Good on him. Kellie had never been to Ireland but she always presumed that if she had, she'd like to meet this crazy character that Seamus always painted him out to be. Then again, that didn't seem necessary anymore if both of his parents intended to be visiting here soon to meet her. Still, the conversation doesn't sway her. "Don't you try sucking up to me now, Seamus Finnigan. What on Earth did you tell your mother?"

[Seamus Finnigan]

There she was, Kellie Black at her most beautiful. Seamus grinned as the woman's fire began to spark at the mention of marriage. He'd attempted to avoid giving his answer, only because he hoped to surprise her with it when the time came. However, he knew that wasn't an option. She'd never let it go, and he didn't blame her for it. Her determination was one of many qualities he loved about her. She would have gotten the answer out of him sooner rather than later. So, when she insisted he tell her, he didn't bother challenge her. It'd only turn into a losing battle.

Seamus took another bite of his steak and washed it down with the rest of his wine before he spoke again. "Alright. Alright, I'll tell you. Christ, woman!" He chuckled and reached over to take hold of her hand this time. He traced small circles around her knuckles thoughtfully as he considered where to start. He nodded when he found his place. "I told Ma that I was in love. That I had been for a while, but I never said anything, because I was scared of it." He shrugged his shouldered a little, as if to relay that he didn't know what he was afraid of.

"She asked me about you. I said you were the most beautiful woman I'd ever met. I said you're a gifted witch, a wonderful woman and mother." He continued, remembering the conversation as he recited it. "She was surprised that I would be with someone who already had a child, since I'd never really talked of wanting kids. I told her that your son was no longer a child. We went back and forth about it for some time. She wanted to know the smallest details."

He finally lifted his gaze from their hands so that he could meet her brilliant hues. "When she felt she knew enough about you, she asked me if I had plans to marry you. I told her..." Seamus trailed off again and cleared his throat. He wanted to make sure the words left him now as confidently as they had when he spoke to his mother. "I said I'm not sure, but I know that I don't want to be in a world that doesn't have you in it. If that was what marriage meant, then it's likely."

[Kellie Black]

The man was insufferable. She was positive a lot of the time he did things just to rile her up because it had him laughing. The brat. Kellie blinked however, taken back by the hand now covering her own. She peers down at the two joined hands and can't help the tiny hint of a smile at the corner of her lips. She couldn't help but notice how well their hands fit together; his bigger and warmer and comforting over hers.

Kellie nearly misses what it is he's saying, swept up in her thoughts. When she does tune in, it's to him coming to terms with his feelings and him confessing as much to his mother. She briefly wonders what Mrs. Finnigan must make of this entire ordeal. Here was her son of over thirty years old, finally committing to one person and let alone to a woman with a fully grown son. She can't imagine his mother can be too thrilled about the news. She knew if Sirius ever did that to her (and that way things were going with him, Lord, she hoped this didn't happen to her) she'd smack him over the head and forbid him from marrying the woman.

She nods along to show she was listening, understanding why Mrs. Finnigan would want to know everything. It was just the way mother's were. Kellie found herself deeply touched and embarrassed by how easily and confidently he spoke of her, though. She truly had found quite the catch. Seamus was just... perfect and lovely in every possible way.

However, after the build up, Kellie feels herself deflating. That... didn't sound so reassuring. So did he even want to marry her? Not wanting to reveal her slightly bruised heart, Kellie puts on her best smile, sliding her hand back toward herself, taking another sip of wine until it's gone. "I'm glad you told her about us. I can only imagine that she was surprised to hear about me now, but that's very nice of you, dear." Not sure if she wanted to dwell on the subject any further, especially after his last comment, Kellie decides to change the subject by clearing her throat. "Did you want to do something tonight while we're here or did you want to rest from your trip? "

[Seamus Finnigan]

Seamus watched as her gentle smile faded behind a sip of her wine, and he looked down to watch her hand leave his. He hadn't given her the answer she wanted to hear; that much was evident. He sighed and shook his head. "Kellie, I'm not finished yet." It saddened him to see the way his words had stripped her of some of the joy that came with his return. He wanted to tell her honestly what he'd said, what he'd thought, how he'd come to the conclusion he had.

He reached for her hand again. "Even as I stood in front of Ma, pouring me heart outta me chest, I still didn't know what it meant." He placed his free hand over his heart and dug his fingers in his flesh as if he was about to rip it out and hand it to her on a plate. He wasn't as calm as he was a moment ago, his accent nearly at full-strength as the passionate Irishman began to show. "It's not as easy for me to talk like this and feel like this. I've always been fightin' it. But I do love you Kellie Black. I want only you."

The hand on his chest fell to his lap. "I won't ask you to marry me now, because there are things I must do first. When I've done them, I'll ask you properly. Ring and all. I made you wait so long, but please wait a little longer."

[Kellie Black]

Kellie can feel herself visibly transfiguring back to that healthy glow on her cheeks, and the boasting, happy smile at her mouth. Wait. Yes, she could do that. She had waited this long, hadn't she? Anyway, her mind is caught up in all the planning they have yet to do. Where would they be married? Would the pub hold enough people for a reception? Perhaps an enlargement charm would best do ... and would to put on the guest list? Why, everyone, of course! Between the pair, the two knew practically everyone; Kellie former students and colleagues from her teaching days and he what with the number of customers he received or his own former classmates. Her mind is racing a mile a minute, caught in overdrive but something in her pauses briefly. Why she marrying again? A second time, no less, and her own son and nieces had hardly even settled?

They had all shown such promising hope. Ashley with Marc. Harmony with Eric, Jackie and Brandon ... and her Sirius with Nessa. Nicole was still far too young to think of settling but the others. Oh, it wore on her heart to think that none of them had found happiness again. Such a gloomy bunch she was raising now. Decisively, Kellie clears her throat, raises her head to meet Seamus' gaze straight on and says, no ifs, and or buts about it, "We'll need a larger house. The kids may not want to live with us, but I'd like to have room for them if they need it. I know I'm jumping the gun here, but you already know that with me, it's not just me you're getting, Seamus. Or my son. You're getting the whole clan of us." Finally saying what needed to be said, Kellie smiles wider, a pleasant hum coursing through her as she reaches for the bottle of wine to refill her glass.

[Seamus Finnigan]

Seamus smiled as she smiled, glad to see he hadn't permanently erased it from her face. He marveled at just how much he'd fallen for this women that the mere thought of her sadness sent him to the darkest of places; the mere sight of her smile made him feel lighter than air. She smiled at him, and he could have very well been that feather from his very first Charms lesson, floating precariously above his head - even though it had been Hermione's feather, not his own blackened and charred one. He felt young in her presence, and yet, she made him want to be a better man. He wanted to be the, man she deserved, a man who could be her rock.

For many years, he'd been more like water, moving from place to place with nothing to truly bind him. When he returned back to the beginning, he didn't expect to remain very long. Inspired by the gritty pub, he believed he'd found purpose in maintaining it. However, it only served as a catalyst for his true purpose. He was meant to be the man at Kellie's side. No doubt there would never be a man to replace Sirius' father, but he hoped to someday be something of a father figure to the younger male, at least someone he could depend on. As Kellie spoke, he realized that he'd also become a part of a larger family, entering their lives as well. He was ready for it all, he decided.

"Then we'll get a house big enough for the whole lot o' you. I'll make room for more if need be. Whatever it takes."